Blue nightshade

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Blue nightshade

Definition:

Poisoning caused by an overdose of plant material of the blue nightshade.

Alternative Names:

Atropa belladonna; Bittersweet nightshade; Scarlet berry; Weedy nightshade

Poisonous Ingredient:

solanine (very toxic even in small quantities)

Where Found:

Blue nightshade (Solanum dulcamara)

The toxin is found throughout the plant but especially in the fruit and leaves.

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms:

body as a whole
- lower than normal body temperature
- paralysis
- shock
- fever
- sweating
respiratory
- slowed breathing
eyes, ears, nose, and throat
- dilated pupils
gastrointestinal
- stomach pain
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
heart and blood vessels
- slow pulse
nervous system
- headache
- delirium
- loss of sensation
- hallucinations

Home Treatment:

Call Poison Control.

Before Calling Emergency:

Determine the following information:

the patient's age, weight, and condition
the name of the plant and the parts eaten
the time it was swallowed
the amount swallowed

Poison Control, or a local emergency number:

They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Bring the plant with you to the emergency room for identification.

What to expect at the emergency room:

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

Induce vomiting.
Use gastric lavage.
Administer activated charcoal.
Treat the symptoms.
Monitor pulse and blood pressure.

Expectations (prognosis):

Death has been reported but is very rare.

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